Australian filmmaker James Ricketson has spent his first night back on Australian soil after being held in a Cambodian prison for 15 months.

The 69-year-old was detained in a Phnom Penh prison in June last year for flying a drone over a rally without a permit.

Two days ago he was granted a royal pardon by the country’s king for espionage.

After touching down at Sydney Airport last night, he said his love for Cambodia hasn’t diminished, describing it as a “lovers’ quarrel”.

Ricketson says he’ll return to the country as soon as he can.